Ben Affleck struggles to balance work and family

BEN AFFLECK will never be a stay-at-home father because he can't stop himself from "ruminating endlessly" about movie projects while looking after his three kids.

Published 14th September 2012

The actor/director admits it is a struggle for him to balance his work and family life, and credits wife Jennifer Garner with taking charge of raising their daughters Violet, six, and Seraphina, three, and six-month-old son Samuel.

He tells Details magazine, "I am not very present in the rest of my life. My wife's very patient. She does everything. If I have time, I try to spend time with the kids, even if just to be a physical presence... But my mind's always going, 'How are we going to light that shot tomorrow? What's the master shot for that scene? Is there even going to be a master?' Just ruminating endlessly. Because for me - I wish it was discipline or being a great artist. But it's just anxiety."

The Good Will Hunting star is adamant that any film he signs up for has to be worth the time spent away from his wife and children.

He adds, "Anytime you think, 'I'm wasting my time here (working),' the first thought you have is 'I could go home and be with my kids.' Now, you may go home and be with your kids and very quickly start thinking, 'I wonder what's on the work front?' Because running around after three kids is very trying.

"Now everything has to compete with being with my family. I don't want to be a stay-at-home dad. Work is very important to me. I like to work. So does my wife. But I need my work to mean something to me in order for me to not be home with them."